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SOURCE: 49ers headed to Conference USA

CHARLOTTE — Two people familiar with the situation say Charlotte is leaving the Atlantic 10 and rejoining Conference USA in the 2013-14 season.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because an announcement has not yet been made. The university has scheduled a Friday news conference.

The 49ers were in Conference USA from 1995 to 2005 but had to leave because they didn't have a football team. They joined the Atlantic 10 and will spend next year there before making the switch.

The decision is football driven. Charlotte begins playing football in 2013 as an FCS independent and will remain at that level for two years. Providing it can meet NCAA attendance standards it will be allowed to move up to an FBS school in 2015-16.